Clients want evidence that design ideas work before they are willing
to commit. Architects can use modeling software to test design ideas
and illustrate how they result in energy savings. You can produce
quantitative data that helps your client understand your design concepts.

Energy Modeling with EnergyPlus (E+)

EnergyPlus is a new energy modeling software from the Department
of Energy. Coupled with Open Studio, a SketchUp plugin, it becomes
a useful design tool for Architects. You can quickly build a model
of your design in SketchUp that gives you immediate feedback on your
design's energy usage. You can test ideas and build data to support
your arguments. You can compare the impact of vairous strategies such
as building orientation, solar shading, daylighting, low-e glazing,
wall construction (insulation), and efficient HVAC. EnergyPlus can
also calculate how much energy you can generate with Photovoltaic
panels. Please read "Designing
Net-Zero Buildings with EnergyPlus" for more information.

Daylighting Analysis with DiaLux

DAYLIGHT ILLUMINATION ON MARCH 21ST AT NOON (San Francisco)
(Useful daylight for office work is between 250 lux and 500 lux)

Artificial lighting accounts for up to 30% of the energy usage of
typical office buildings. If you include the additional cooling required
by heat generated by artificial lights, the total energy usage caused
by artificial lighting could approach 50%. Using daylight to reduce
the usage of artificial lighting can greatly increase the energy efficiency
of buildings. I use Dialux, a professional lighting design software,
to quickly model and calculate the daylighting potential of buildings.
Daylight modeling can help you evaluate and optimize the impact of
top lighting, sidelighting, atriums, light shelves, and sunshades.
Please read "Integrate
Daylighting into the Design of Sustainable Buildings" for
more information.

Architects are frequently involved as defendants in mold contamination
lawsuits. The old "rules of thumb" about designing for moisture
control in the building envelope' may be contributing to the moisture
building-up in some buildings. Modeling can help you evaluate the
effectiveness of your building wall assembly design. Using software
developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory, you can develop a heat transfer model of your
assembly and determine the risk of condensation. Please read "Building
Envelope Thermal & Moisture Analysis" for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why do Architects need energy
modeling?
Most architects think that only mechanical engineers can benefit from
energy modeling. In sustainable buildings, the envelope design has a great
impact on energy efficiency and comfort of occupants. I use EnergyPlus
to help optimize the energy efficiency of the building through layout,
orientation, solar shading, building materials, glazing, and daylighting.
The same energy model can be used by the mechanical engineer to simulate
the performance of the HVAC system.

Q. Do I need daylighting?
Daylighting is the use of natural light to reduce artificial lighting
in buildings. Since artificial lighting accounts for 30% of the energy
used by a typical office building, utilizing daylight can make a significant
impact on the energy efficiency of buildings. Also, daylit buildings
are perceived by users as being more comfortable.